Mysore/Mysuru: M.S. Mahabaleshwara, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Karnataka Bank, has called upon youths who are aspiring to join banking services to achieve excellence over Information Technology and Digital Technology in the wake of digital revolution in the field of banking sector, thanks to increased banking literacy in the country.

He was speaking at the valedictory of 50-day online training programme for banking service recruitment examination on behalf of Karnataka State Open University (KSOU) Competitive Examinations’ Training Centre here yesterday.

The MD said the banking system was like a central nervous system of the country. Of late, the banking literacy was increasing. The Central Government schemes like Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and Mobile banking have taken banks to doorsteps of people. The digital revolution has completely revolutionised the banking sector. Banking was fast becoming popular among people. In the coming days, number of banks will reduce in the country. It was important for those who wish to enter this sector to hone their IT and digital technology skills, he said.

The candidates must read business dailies along with regular newspapers. Besides, they must closely follow rules and regulations enacted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Persons with honesty and hard work could join as ordinary worker and can reach top posts in banks. However, they must have an urge for knowledge and run behind knowledge but not behind promotion. Once they develop knowledge, promotion will automatically come in search of them, Mahabaleshwara said.

He said honesty was very important for people who wish to join banking service as people deposit their hard earned money in the banks. The bank employees were the custodians of this money. So, they need to adopt honesty and trust. Banking sector has given employment to 14 lakh people and an additional 50,000 to one lakh new posts were being created. “There is no short cut to achieve excellence as it will come from hard work and dedication,” he observed.

Additional Director General of Police (Railways) Bhaskar Rao said they did not have that much of resources when they were preparing for the competitive examinations. Now, tons of information was available online. One who does self study must be careful as they need to have both online and offline coaching and training. Intensive and extensive preparation was very much required for candidates, he noted.

KSOU Vice-Chancellor Prof. S. Vidyashankar, Registrar Prof. R.Rajanna, Registrar (Evaluation) Prof. M. Mahadevan and KSOU Competitive Examinations’ Training Centre Coordinator Jainahalli Sathyanarayanagowda and others were present.